Náttúruleg

náttúruleg is an Icelandic adjective meaning natural. It describes things that relate to nature or that are not artificial or man-made. The term can refer to inherent qualities of a thing, processes that follow natural laws, or appearances and materials that resemble what occurs in nature. In everyday language it often contrasts with artificial, synthetic, or processed alternatives. When used of products, náttúruleg may suggest simplicity or alignment with nature, but it is not a legal certification the way lífrænt is in Icelandic.

Grammatical and etymological notes: The masculine singular form is náttúrulegur; the feminine singular is náttúruleg; and the neuter singular is náttúrulegt. The adverbial form is náttúrulega. The word is formed from náttúra, nature, plus the suffix -legur. It is a standard Icelandic term and can be used both attributively and predicatively, e.g., “hann er náttúrulegur” or “náttúruleg efni.”

Usage and nuance: Náttúruleg is commonly used to describe foods, cosmetics, materials, and behavior that are closer to natural conditions or free from artificial additives. Examples include náttúruleg matur (natural food), náttúruleg hráefni (natural ingredients), and náttúruleg húðvörur (natural skincare products). In marketing, the term carries connotations of simplicity and harmony with nature, but it does not imply organic certification; for that, the term lífrænt is typically used.

See also: náttúra; lífrænt; eðlilegur.